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Latest Mp3/Video Players

Samsung Announces a 3GB Cell Phone

During this weekend, Samsung has announced the SPH-V7900, a model fitted with a 3GB hard drive which will set a new record in phone storage capacities. Samsung also owned the previous record with the SPH-V5400 model launched in September, which features a 1.5GB hard-drive.
The phone’s storage capacity is enough for 700 songs and even some high-quality clips. However, it possesses more than just musical features, for example, a photo module
is included.

The SPH-V7900 is able to capture 2MP images, this resolution becoming a standard for the next generation models. Its photo features go beyond that, as the phone benefits from a 2X optical zoom, this being quite a treat for photography enthusiasts.

Considering the phone’s qualities, it wouldn’t be wrong to assume that the SPH-V7900 could set a new performance milestone other producers should take into consideration.

The phone will be available for $718 starting next week. The second biggest Korean operator, KTF, has been entrusted with the distribution of the device.

Bill Gates Believes that Blu-Ray is “Bad” for Consumers

The Microsoft leader’s intuition cannot be taken as an example, considering that the numerous rather weird predictions made Bill Gates were laughed at by both experts and users. After the already famous reference to the maximum memory of 768 kb, Gates strikes back with new material. According to Microsoft’s architect, the Blu-Ray technology, which won’t work too well on the computer, is the movie studios’ tool. He also said that this is a solution aimed against the consumer.

It was expected that Microsoft would attack
sooner or later the Blu-Ray solution, after deciding to back the other format, the HD-DVD. Still, calling Blu-Ray “the no.1 enemy” is quite a challenge. Gates justifies his statement by saying that, together with the launching of Blu-Ray, the movie studios will have way too many protections at their disposal, which will be detrimental to users. Bill Gates doesn’t have something against the Blu-Ray‘s technology, his discontent having to do with the protections which are not designed to aid consumers.

The Blu-Ray format includes three protections against piracy, while the HD-DVD is based on the DRM protection system, which authorizes local transfers.

Video iPod Finally Here!

It’s official. At an event in San Jose Wednesday, Apple ended months of speculation by introducing the first video-enabled iPod, moving the company into the portable media center space.

The new iPod sports a 2.5-inch TFT display in a design similar to the iPod Nano. The 320×240 pixel display supports only 260,000 colors, but the iPod does include a video-out jack for hooking up to a TV. Real-time decoding of MPEG-4 and H.264 video content is supported.

The new iPod will come in sizes of 30 and 60GB, with retail prices of $299 and $399, in line with prices of the previous models, although with more capacity. Apple, noticing the high demand for its black iPod Nano, will also make the new model available in that color as well.

Both models are thinner than the current 20GB iPod.

Two new ads will help promote the iPod, including one starring U2 and another with Eminem, who incidentally just settled a lawsuit with Apple over using one of the rap artist’s songs in a recent iPod commercial without authorization.

Google Fixes Cross Site Scripting Vulnerability Identified by Finjan

Finjan informed Google last week of a dangerous cross site scripting vulnerability on its website. Finjan’s Malicious Code Research Center (MCRC) provided Google with full technical details, including proof-of-concept, concerning the vulnerability in order to assist Google with the fix. Google worked quickly to complete the fix on its website, which is no longer exposed to this vulnerability.

Two Google sub-sites contained forms which did not validate and filter input. Due to the lack of data validation and filtering, this vulnerability could have allowed an attacker to inject content and scripts which could allow him to steal the victim’s cookie. If the victim were to be logged-on to their Google Account at the time, the attacker, by virtue of having the victim’s cookie, could have gained access to some of the Google services like the victim’s personal account information, his/her saved searches, Froogle’s wish list, Google alerts, or even identify the user in the Google Groups. The attacker might also have been able to change the content of the whole page, which would allow him to perform phishing attacks, or convince the user to download malicious files.

“The cross site scripting vulnerability could have allowed a remote attacker to take over victims’ Google Accounts, or fake the website’s content in order to deceive end users into downloading malicious content or providing personal and confidential information (known as ‘phishing’)”, said Limor Elbaz, VP Business Development and Strategy of Finjan.

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Microsoft, Yahoo to Link IM Networks

Microsoft and Yahoo are set to announce on Wednesday a blockbuster interoperability deal that will reshape the landscape of the fragmented instant messaging market. The companies will connect their IM networks so users on each can communicate with one another using text and voice chat free of charge.

The agreement marks the first time major players in the highly-competitive IM industry have officially partnered up to enable cross-network communication. Interoperability has always been a hot topic among instant messaging providers, but had never yielded a compromise.

In 1999, Microsoft connected its MSN Messenger client to AOL’s AIM network - without authorization. The move let to a cat-and-mouse game of AOL cutting off its new competitor and MSN re-establishing communication with each update. Microsoft eventually gave up and focused on improving its client.

Such disparate messaging networks led to the creation of third party clients with the ability to connect to each simultaneously. AOL and others were initially critical of applications like Trillian, but eventually backed down and ceased efforts to block the newcomers.

Yahoo and Microsoft will now command upwards of 44 percent of the market, according to research firm Radicati Group, putting new pressure on market leader AOL, which holds around 56 percent market share with AIM and ICQ. And according to recent comScore Media Metrix numbers, MSN Messenger and Yahoo! Messenger together reach 33.5 million unique users each month, more than the 23 million running AIM.

But competing with AOL is likely not the primary reason Microsoft and Yahoo have linked up. The new threat to the IM heavyweights comes from voice chat and upstarts such as Skype that have taken the communications industry by storm. Google, meanwhile, recently launched a communications client called Google Talk that focuses on simple PC-to-PC calling.

Still, a source at Yahoo expressed concern about the new partnership to BetaNews, hypothesizing that interoperability will only serve to strengthen Microsoft’s position in the market.

Recently, IM software clients have evolved to link consumers to other services beyond just chat - from blogs to search. And if users are able to message contacts on Yahoo through the MSN client bundled with Windows, it could hamper Yahoo’s efforts to reach more eyeballs.

Microsoft is also reported to be in talks with Time Warner, and a deal to open the door between MSN Messenger and AIM has been rumored. However, nothing concrete has come from the discussions thus far.

The Wall Street Journal first reported on the impending announcement.

New Samsung Cell Phones

Samsung and CSR announced yesterday the launching of the Samsung models, SGH-E750 and SGH-E760, two phones which will use the BlueCore3 ROM solution with MP3 support. In other words, both phones will have the possibility to wirelessly stream MP3 music to a Bluetooth headset.

The SBH100 headset is based on BlueCore solution and it can also be used to make calls. The two phones will be available for GSM networks starting with this year second quarter.

By including the BlueCore3-ROM solution in its phones, Samsung is the first producer to allow users to wirelessly stream MP3s to a Bluetooth headset. The solution developed by CSR is the only one capable to offer native support for the MP3s, using the internal codec on the software scheme and the DSP.

These triband phones follow the design line of the existent clamshell models and include a 1.3MP digital camera. The SGH-E750 model also includes flash memory and polyphonic ringtones while the SGH-E760 is only fitted with a digital amplifier and two speakers.

Both phone models include new functions, like digital compass and gesture recognition, which have been associated with cell phone gaming titles.

Source: SP